Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
The CRG decides whether and when to open the Hub based on the safety of the building, the availability of volunteers, and the scale of the event. The Hub does not open automatically.
Communications — radios and information flow with the Wānaka Emergency Operations Centre — will be activated as soon as the building is confirmed safe and a small team is available. The wider public-facing Hub builds up gradually over the days following an event, as more volunteers are able to attend. CRG volunteers are also Hāwea residents with their own households to deal with first.
In smaller events, the CRG may operate communications from the Community Centre without opening the Hub to the public.
The Lake Hāwea Community Emergency Hub operates from the Lake Hāwea Community Centre at 28 Myra Street, Lake Hāwea.
Complete the following form and the CRG committee will review the applications and confirm acceptance.
The Hāwea Flat Hall (Cnr Kane and Camphill Roads) is the designated Community Emergency Hub for Hāwea Flat. The CRG does not yet have an operational team to run this hub. Building a Hāwea Flat team is a current priority — see the home page for how to get involved.
Street Leaders are local residents who help their street prepare for emergencies — handing out CRG information, encouraging neighbours to make household plans, and staying connected to the community. Email hello@haweacrg.nz to find out more or register your interest.
See the Neighbourhood Groups page for a full description of the role.
The CRG is run by local volunteers based in Lake Hāwea and Hāwea Flat. Email hello@haweacrg.nz and we will get in touch to discuss how you might be involved.
That decision rests with the Emergency Operations Centre in Wānaka, not with the CRG. A Civil Defence Centre could be established at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre alongside the Community Emergency Hub — but this is not guaranteed and would depend on the scale of the event and the EOC's assessment of where CDCs are most needed across the district.
A Civil Defence Centre is staffed by trained and vetted personnel — not CRG volunteers. This would typically include representatives from government agencies and support organisations. The CRG's role is separate: gathering and passing local information, and helping the community support itself.
No. The Community Emergency Hub is not a food distribution point. Hāwea is a remote community and in a major emergency outside help may not arrive for days or weeks. Every household should store at least two weeks of food and water. The Hub can help connect people who have surplus supplies with those who need them through the Needs and Offers system.
The Hub has a First Aid station staffed by trained volunteers. For serious medical emergencies, call 111 — but be aware that in a major event emergency services may be delayed or unable to reach Hāwea. Having a well-stocked first aid kit at home and basic first aid knowledge in your household is strongly recommended.
Yes. The Hub has a dedicated Pets and Animals team who can help with lost and found animals, animal health concerns, and basic animal first aid. A registration database for lost and found pets will be operating. For livestock and farm animals, contact your neighbours and rural networks — the Hub can help coordinate where possible.
Liquefaction risk in Hāwea is generally low compared to areas built on river delta soils such as parts of Christchurch or the Clutha flats. However, any area with saturated soils can experience some ground instability in a large earthquake. Check the Otago Regional Council hazards portal for specific information about your property.
Probably not immediately, and possibly not for some time. Sewer pipes are vulnerable to ground movement and a large earthquake is likely to damage the reticulated system. Every household should have an emergency toilet plan — a portable toilet, a camping toilet, or a prepared outdoor system with a supply of bags and a disposal plan. Do not use flush toilets if you suspect pipe damage as this can cause sewage backup.
Longview has its own sewage system separate from the main Lake Hāwea reticulated network. As with any system, it is vulnerable to damage in a major earthquake. Longview residents should follow the same precaution — do not use flush toilets if you suspect pipe damage, and have an emergency toilet plan in place.